Communicating What We Know and What Isn't So: Science Communication in Psychology.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Science Communication
• Social Influence

Background:

• Psychology has historically encouraged public dissemination of research findings.
• Recent calls to "give psychology away" coincide with a "credibility revolution" questioning psychological knowledge.
• This creates a tension between disseminating findings and uncertainty about established knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the dilemma faced by psychologists in disseminating knowledge amidst the credibility revolution.
• To provide strategies for navigating the tension between public outreach and scientific uncertainty.
• To integrate insights from science communication, persuasion, and social influence.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical synthesis.
• Drawing on interdisciplinary insights from science communication, persuasion, and social influence.
• Conceptual analysis of the challenges in disseminating psychological science.

Main Results:

• Identified a core tension between the imperative to share psychological findings and the ongoing reevaluation of the field's credibility.
• Proposed that effective dissemination requires careful consideration of what is known and how to communicate it persuasively.
• Highlighted the utility of science communication and social influence principles for psychologists.

Conclusions:

• Psychologists can effectively "give psychology away" by employing strategic communication approaches.
• Navigating the credibility revolution necessitates a nuanced understanding of both psychological knowledge and communication science.
• Integrating insights from related fields offers a pathway for responsible and impactful public engagement with psychology.